Method and system for ripple-spring compression assessment
First Claim
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1. A method of determining the condition of an installed ripple spring in an electric-generator stator with the use of a compression-assessment tool having a non-contact proximity sensor, the method comprising the steps of:
- calibrating the compression-assessment tool;
placing the compression-assessment tool on the surface of a stator wedge of a test stator having an unknown ripple-spring compression;
linearly displacing the compression-assessment tool over the length of the stator wedge of the test stator;
measuring the compression of the ripple spring of the test stator through the stator wedge by directly measuring the proximity of an upper surface of the ripple spring to the compression-assessment tool;
comparing the output signal obtained from the test stator to a reference output signal obtained from calibrating the compression-assessment tool in order to determine the relative compression and condition of the ripple spring of the test stator.
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Abstract
A method and system for directly measuring the compression of a ripple spring (23) in a dynamoelectric machine through a corresponding wedge (27). A compression-assessment tool (3) is provided that includes a carriage (32) for supporting a proximity sensor (34). The carriage (32) enables the proximity sensor (34) to be passed over the length of the ripple spring (23), which produces an output signal that is representative of the compression of the ripple spring (23).
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of determining the condition of an installed ripple spring in an electric-generator stator with the use of a compression-assessment tool having a non-contact proximity sensor, the method comprising the steps of:
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calibrating the compression-assessment tool; placing the compression-assessment tool on the surface of a stator wedge of a test stator having an unknown ripple-spring compression; linearly displacing the compression-assessment tool over the length of the stator wedge of the test stator; measuring the compression of the ripple spring of the test stator through the stator wedge by directly measuring the proximity of an upper surface of the ripple spring to the compression-assessment tool; comparing the output signal obtained from the test stator to a reference output signal obtained from calibrating the compression-assessment tool in order to determine the relative compression and condition of the ripple spring of the test stator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system for measuring a compression of a ripple spring installed in a stator of an electric generator, comprising:
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a compression-assessment tool including a carriage for supporting a proximity sensor for measuring the proximity of the ripple spring directly through the stator wedge, the sensor configured for; providing a reference output signal representative of a reference distance of the ripple spring from the proximity sensor and representative of at least one of a known compression of the ripple spring and a know force applied to the ripple spring; providing a test output signal representative of a test distance of the ripple spring from the proximity sensor and representative of an unknown compression of the ripple spring; comparing the test output signal to the reference output signal to determine the relative compression and condition of the ripple spring subject to the unknown compression and a carriage for supporting the proximity sensor and for movably passing the sensor substantially linearly over the length of the stator wedge. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for measuring a compression of a ripple spring installed in a stator of an electric generator, comprising:
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a compression-assessment tool including a carriage for supporting a sensor means for measuring the proximity of the ripple spring directly through the stator wedge, the sensor means configured for; providing a reference output signal representative of a reference distance of the ripple spring from the sensor means and representative of a least one of a known compression of the ripple spring and a known force applied to the ripple spring; providing a test output signal representative of a test distance of the ripple spring from the proximity sensor and representative of an unknown compression of the ripple spring; comparing the test output signal to the reference output signal for determining the relative compression and condition of the ripple spring subject to the unknown compression; and a carriage means for supporting the sensor means and for movably passing the sensor substantially linearly over the length of the stator wedge. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification